Wicked Annabella
The Kinks · The Village Green Preservation Society [1968]
Where no Christian man has been,
Wicked Annabella mixes a brew
That no one's ever seen.
Relatives have passed her by,
Too scared to even say hello.
She's in perpetual midnight,
She shuts out the day,
And goes about her sinful ways.
I, I've seen her hair, I've seen her face,
Look towards mine.
I, I've felt her eyes burning my sole,
Twisting my mind.
Little children who are good
Should always go to sleep at night,
'Cause Wicked Annabella is up in the sky
Hopin' they will open their eyes.
Don't go into woods tonight,
'Cause underneath the sticks and stones
Are lots of little demons enslaved by Annabella
Waiting just to carry you home
Wicked Annabella
Released on The Kinks' 1968 album The Village Green Preservation Society, 'Wicked Annabella' stands as a quintessential example of Ray Davies' sharp, satirical songwriting. The track captures the frenetic energy of the late 1960s with its driving rhythm and Davies' distinctive vocal delivery, which oscillates between playful banter and biting social commentary. As part of the band's broader exploration of English life and modernity during this era, the song reflects Davies' ability to blend humor with observation, creating a memorable recording that remains a staple of the British Invasion's legacy. Its inclusion on this landmark album highlights the group's commitment to crafting complex narratives within their pop framework.